Personal lighted umbrella

ABSTRACT

A personal umbrella assembly has a frame, a lighting apparatus coupled with the frame, and light control logic operatively coupled with the lighting apparatus. The light control logic is configured to receive an input signal and cause the lighting apparatus to display a light signal/pattern as a function of the input signal.

PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority from provisional U.S. patentapplication No. 63/123,900, filed Dec. 10, 1920, entitled, “PERSONALIZEDLIGHTED UMBRELLA,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, inits entirety, by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention generally relate to personalumbrellas and, more particularly, various embodiments of the inventionrelate to an umbrella with illumination.

SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a personal umbrellaassembly has a frame, a lighting apparatus coupled with the frame, andlight control logic operatively coupled with the lighting apparatus. Thelight control logic is configured to receive an input signal and causethe lighting apparatus to display a light signal/pattern as a functionof the input signal.

The light control logic input signal may be configured to receive inputinformation about a garment. In that case, the light control logic maybe configured to cause the lighting apparatus to produce a lightingapparatus to display the light signal as a function of the garment(e.g., the same color). The light control logic input signal may includeinput information about a prescribed lighting pattern that causes it tocontrol the lighting apparatus to produce a lighting apparatus todisplay the prescribed light signal as a function of the prescribedlighting pattern.

The umbrella assembly also may have logic that enables the light controllogic to switch between one of a plurality of different prescribed lightpatterns. For example, the input signal may have information relating toone or more of the pulsating wave parameters of color palletcomposition, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade. The personalumbrella assembly also may have logic for detecting a signal from adifferent device (e.g., another umbrella configured in a similarmanner). The light control logic may be to pair with the differentdevice to interact with the different device.

In some embodiments, an LED lighted umbrella provides a symphony oflight composition emulating the bio luminescence life pulsating wavepattern that is automatically programmed to color coordinate and matchto the owner's clothing. More specifically, some embodiments relate to aspecial personal umbrella having a plurality of LED lights, whichillumination can be varied by a remote controlling mode and coordinatedby a color pallet algorithm to match a person's wardrobe as a uniqueaccessory.

Illustrative embodiments respond to the needs of a personal umbrellathat is automatically programmed to produce a symphony of light that iscoordinated with a person's wardrobe. The light wave pattern also may becontrolled to adjust the pulsating wave parameters of color palletcomposition, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade by control means,such as remote control to emulate the relaxing bio luminescencepulsating life wave patterns exhibited by comb jelly fish and relatedmarine life. Furthermore, various embodiments include a personalumbrella with illumination in that it communicates and a wink “Hello”pattern to other like umbrellas, is equipped and featured with “Alert”patterns, and is featured with “Confetti celebration” and “Firefly”patterns. Therefore, in order to eliminate known limitations of theprior art, various embodiments aim to provide a personal umbrella withremote controlled stranded array of LED lights with aforementionedanimated features.

Those skilled in the art may configure a personal umbrella in any of avariety of configurations to achieve one or more of the above goals. Thefollowing technical solution is but one example that produces one ormore of the above goals: an umbrella having an umbrella assemblyincluding a Center rod, a plurality of umbrella Support bars, aplurality of Support rails and an umbrella Canvas that overlays theumbrella Support rails, in which the upper end of the Center rod isfixed to a First annular ring to which Support rails are attached and aSecond annular ring that Support bars are attached that slides on theCenter rod. A plurality of programmable color and time duration LEDlights mounted in a Flex PCB LED Array attached in each channel of theplurality of Support rails and one end attached to Flex PCB annularstrip bus.

A Control and power cable is threaded through the hollow Center rod toconnect the Flex PCB annular strip bus to the LED dynamic power controlin the hollow Handle. The LED dynamic power control is connected toRechargeable power module and a Micro controller which contains the Bioluminescent pulsating life wave emulation algorithm and accepts commandand data from the Communication receiver which receives command and datafrom the Color match algorithm provided as an application program fordownload in a user's phone or computer device.

The Micro controller is connected to a Rotary switch having a pluralityof states including “Off”, “Color match”, “Hello”, and “Alert” and MicroUSB connector located in the Handle. The Color match algorithm accepts ahighlighted area of a user photo of their wardrobe and automaticallycreates a Color pallet encoding as input to the Bio luminescentpulsating life wave emulation algorithm. The Bio luminescent pulsatinglife wave emulation algorithm selects and optimizes wave patternsequence color, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade that match theundulating life patterns of marine comb jellyfish. This original defaultcolor combination is displayed when the unit is turned on to “Colormatch” mode and remains in this display state unless commanded by inputfrom the “Color match” algorithm of rotary switch state of “Hello”,“Alert”, “Confetti”, or “Firefly”. All wave parameters have as additiveinput a continuous random variable normal distribution noise componentthat is not detected by the user, but provides subliminal relaxationexperience over the pattern with no additive noise.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are implemented at least inpart as a computer program product having a computer usable medium withcomputer readable program code thereon. The computer readable code maybe read and utilized by a computer system in accordance withconventional processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

Those skilled in the art should more fully appreciate advantages ofvarious embodiments of the invention from the following “Description ofIllustrative Embodiments,” discussed with reference to the drawingssummarized immediately below.

FIG. 1 schematically shows of an umbrella assembly of the personalumbrella with remote-controlled LED lights in accordance withillustrative embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 schematically shows the lower portion structure of the personalumbrella of FIG. 1 in accordance with illustrative embodiments, in whichsome elements are enlarged;

FIG. 3 schematically shows the upper portion structure of personalumbrella of FIG. 1 in accordance with illustrative embodiments, in whichsome elements are enlarged;

FIGS. 4A-4B are illustrative schematics and state flow view of an LEDStrip color sequencing and timing of a “Bio luminescence pulsating lifewave” pattern emulation algorithm of the personal umbrella of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a color match scheme in accordance withillustrative embodiments. For example, one or more of those figures showan illustrative schematic and state flow view of the LED Strip colorsequencing and timing “Color pattern match” algorithm of the personalumbrella of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an illustrative schematic and state flow view of the LED Stripcolor sequencing and timing “Hello” exchange algorithm of the personalumbrella of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an illustrative schematic and state flow view of the LED Stripcolor sequencing and timing “Confetti” algorithm of the personalumbrella of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative schematic and state flow view of the LED Stripcolor sequencing and timing “Firefly” algorithm of the personal umbrellaof FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative schematic and state flow view of the LED Stripcolor sequencing and timing “Alert” algorithm of the personal umbrellaof FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The personal umbrella with illumination in the prior art are notprogrammed to produce a symphony of light that is automaticallycoordinated with a person's wardrobe, and the light wave pattern is notbe controlled to adjust the pulsating wave parameters of color palletcomposition, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade by any controlmeans, such as remote control to emulate the relaxing “bio luminescencepulsating life wave” patterns exhibited by comb jelly fish and relatedmarine life. Furthermore, personal umbrella with illumination in theprior art fails to communicate or wink a “Hello” pattern to other likeumbrellas, and they are not equipped and featured with remote control“Alert” patterns, or featured with remote control “Confetti celebration”patterns, or “Firefly” communication patterns To eliminate the defect ofthe prior art, illustrative embodiments provide a personal umbrella withremote controlled stranded array of LED lights with aforementionedanimated color pattern sequence features. Details of illustrativeembodiments are discussed below.

Illustrative embodiments of a personal umbrella are explained in detailwith reference to FIGS. 1-7. Specifically, those figures show a personalumbrella with remote-controlled lights. In illustrative embodiments,light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) are used, although those skilled in theart can use other types of lights. The umbrella comprises, among otherthings, an umbrella assembly including a Center rod 1, a plurality ofumbrella Support bars 3, a plurality of Support rails 2, and an umbrellaCanvas 22 overlaying the umbrella Support rails 2. The upper end of theCenter rod 1 is fixed to a First annular ring 20 to which Support rails2 are attached. Support bars 3 are coupled with a Second annular ring 21that slides on the Center rod 1.

A plurality of serial programmable color and time duration LED lightsmounted in a Flex PCB LED Array 5 are attached in each channel of theplurality of Support rails 2 with one end attached to Flex PCB annularStrip bus 11. A Control and power cable 12 is threaded through thehollow Center rod 1 to connect the Flex PCB annular strip bus 11 to theLED dynamic power control 6 in the hollow Handle 4. A Microcontroller 8is connected to a Rotary switch 9, which has a plurality of states ofincluding “Off”, “Color match”, “Confetti”, “Firefly”, “Hello”, and“Alert”. Micro USB connector 10 also may be located in the hollow Handle4.

The handle, shown in FIG. 2, details the LED dynamic power control 6,connected to rechargeable power module 13, LED strip array data andpower cable 12, and Micro Controller 8. The Micro controller 8, isconnected to the is Communication receiver 7, the LED strip array dataand power cable 12, Rotary switch 9, and USB cable 14. The LED striparray data and power cable 12 is connected to the LED strip bus 11,which is connected to a plurality of LED strips 16. The USB cable 14connects the Micro Controller 8 to the Micro USB connector 10.

The LED strip array of FIG. 3 details a plurality of serial programmableRGB LED 15 mounted on LED strip data and power cable 12, connected tothe LED strip bus 11. This arrangement allows for individual control ofeach LED via the Microcontroller 8 and LED dynamic power control 6.

Indeed, it should be noted that FIGS. 1-3 only schematically showsvarious components and one specific implementation of variousembodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that each ofthese components can be implemented in a variety of conventional mannersand in other manners, such as by using hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software, across one or more otherfunctional components. For example, the microcontroller may beimplemented using a plurality of microprocessors or discrete electroniccomponents. As another example, the microcontroller may be implementedusing one or more application specific integrated circuits (i.e.,“ASICs”) and related software, or a combination of ASICs, discreteelectronic components (e.g., transistors), and microprocessors.Accordingly, the schematic representation of the components is forsimplicity purposes only.

It should be reiterated that the representation of FIGS. 1-3 may be asimplified representation of an actual umbrella assembly. Those skilledin the art should understand that such a device has many other physicaland functional components. Accordingly, this discussion is in no wayintended to suggest that FIGS. 1-3 represent all of the elements, andthe only elements of the umbrella assembly.

FIG. 4a shows an example of a default “Bio luminescent pulsating lifewave” sequence of color and timing pattern A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, Jof serial programmable RGB LED 1-18 at time T0 to T27 for each LEDstrips to emulate Jellyfish color sequence propagation. The timeinterval between each state T0-T1, . . . , T26-T27 is controlled by anormal distribution random number generator that creates random intervalperiods between 60 msec and 260 msec that, when complete, advances thesequence state T0-T27 and then restarts the sequence under control of asecond normal distribution random number generator that creates randominterval periods between sequence starts. This random additive featureto the emulation pattern timing is exhibited by comb jellyfish andperceived as relaxing visual stimulus to humans. FIG. 4b shows anexample of the time domain wave form captured at time T14 and theintensity of the RGB codes of the propagating bio luminescent pulsatinglife wave sequence. Specifically, RGB codes and sequence and intensityalgorithms are shown for the emulation patterns exhibited by the CombJellyfish. The Micro controller 8 contains the pulsating bioluminescentlife wave emulation algorithm and accepts command and data from thecommunication receiver 7, which receives command and data from the Colormatch algorithm provided as an application program for download in auser's phone or computer device.

The Color match algorithm, FIG. 5a-5c , accepts a highlighted area of auser photo of their wardrobe and automatically creates a Color palletencoding as input to the bioluminescent pulsating life wave emulationalgorithm. The bioluminescent pulsating life wave emulation algorithm,FIG. 5b-5c , selects and optimizes wave pattern sequence color,frequency, duration, intensity, and fade that match the undulating lifepatterns of marine comb jellyfish. All wave parameters have asadditional input a continuous random variable normal distribution noisecomponent that is not detected by the user but provides is subliminalrelaxation experience over the pattern with no additive noise.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a “Hello” algorithm, with the LED sequenceand timing stimulus and response to umbrellas whose “Hello” mode isactivated. In the shown example of this mode, a “gold sparkler” patternis sequenced twice in quick succession upon the communication receiverproximity detection of another umbrella communication receiver with its“Hello” mode activated. After the “Hello” wink handshake is executedbetween two umbrellas, it remains active and locked out for thisumbrella pairing for a 24-hour period.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a “Confetti” algorithm, with the LED sequenceand timing of a confetti celebration pattern that emulates the finale offireworks displays. It has plumes of wave color patterns flowed by quickrandom flashes of color and bright white sparkles.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a “Firefly” algorithm, with the LED sequenceand timing emulation of the Firefly courtship dance. The pattern hasalternating quick bright male, M, stimulus flash and slow soft female,F, glow response. The dance exponentially adds male and female pairsthat crescendos to the entire community and then disappears, only tostart again. In this example, the male stimulus flash is 30 msec to 50msec and the female glow period is 300 msec to 500 msec following araised cosine intensity profile. The male flash timing and luminescenceand female glow period and luminescence are controlled by random normaldistributions generators to emulate Firefly life rhythms.

FIG. 9 shows an example of an “Alert” algorithm, with the LED sequenceand timing of an Alert pattern that emulates the strobe timing and colorflash patterns displays of international warning and hazards. Itincludes rotating beams of international orange and flowed by quickstrobe flashes of bright white.

Although various embodiments discuss specific algorithms, such as theAlert algorithm and the Firefly algorithm, those skilled in the art canapply principals of illustrative embodiments to other algorithms.Accordingly, discussion of the specific algorithms are for illustrativepurposes only and not intended to limit various embodiments.

Some innovations may include:

1. A personal umbrella with stranded arrays of remote-controlled lightemitting diode (LED) lights to provide a symphony of light compositionemulating the “bio luminescence pulsating life wave” pattern that isautomatically programmed to color coordinate and match the ownersclothing. The device includes: an umbrella assembly including a centersupport rod, a handle, an umbrella cover, a plurality of umbrellasupport bars and a plurality of support rails, wherein the support rodis connected to the plurality of support bars and the plurality ofsupport rails, wherein the umbrella cover is connected to the pluralityof support bars, wherein a plurality of LED lights arranged is a stripstrand is attached on each of the support rails, and wherein the handleis provided with a compartment in which is a remote controller includinga rechargeable power supply, communication receiver, rotary mode switch,USB connector, printed circuit board (PCB), electrically switch LEDpower driver, and 1 wire or 2 wire strand communication and groundinterface connected through center support rod to the array stripsenabling individual control of color and brightness of each LED in eachof the strip arrays.2. The personal umbrella with remote-controlled LED strand array lightsaccording to innovation 1, wherein the control of the pattern is realtime programmed via communication receiver driven from an automaticcolor match algorithm with input from a photo of a user's wardrobe item.3. The personal umbrella with remote-controlled LED strand array lightsaccording to innovation 1, wherein the LED power drive is derived from asingle 3.6 volt rechargeable power source that is charged from a 5 voltUSB power supply. The dynamic LED power driver controls the intensity,duration, and color timing to power a plurality individually controlled(of at least 144) LED organized in strand arrays for a plurality ofhours (of at least 2) without recharging.4. The personal umbrella with remote-controlled LED strand array lightsaccording to innovation 1, wherein the light wave pattern can becontrolled to adjust the pulsating wave parameters of color palletcomposition, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade by any controlmeans, such as remote control to emulate the relaxing bio luminescencelife wave patterns exhibited by comb jellyfish.5. The personal umbrella with remote-controlled LED strand array lightsaccording to innovation 1, wherein the light wave pattern can becontrolled to adjust the pulsating wave parameters of color palletcomposition, frequency, duration, intensity, and fade by any controlmeans, such as remote control to emulate the relaxing bio luminescencelife wave patterns exhibited by fireflies.6. The personal umbrella with remote-controlled LED strand array lightsaccording to innovation 1, wherein the umbrella automatically senses andrecognizes its proximity to other like umbrellas and blinks “Hello” as asymbolic handshake.7. The personal umbrella with remote-controlled LED strand array lightsaccording to innovation 1, wherein the umbrella can handle contains arotary switch which has a plurality of positions including: “Off” powercharge mode, “On” color match pattern and program, “Celebrate” quickflash multi-color display, “Alert” yellow . . . orange . . . andred - - - and white . . . burst. The embodiments of the inventiondescribed above are intended to be merely exemplary; numerous variationsand modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Suchvariations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of thepresent invention as defined by any of the appended claims.

1. A personal umbrella assembly comprising: a frame; a lightingapparatus coupled with the frame; light control logic operativelycoupled with the lighting apparatus, the light control logic receivingan input signal and causing the lighting apparatus to display a lightpattern as a function of the input signal.
 2. The personal umbrellaassembly of claim 1 wherein the light control logic input signalincludes input information about a garment, the light control logiccausing the lighting apparatus to display the light pattern as afunction of the garment.
 3. The personal umbrella assembly claim 1wherein the light control logic input signal receives input informationabout a prescribed lighting pattern, the light control logic causing thelighting apparatus to display the light pattern as a function of theprescribed lighting pattern.
 4. The personal umbrella assembly of claim3 further having switching logic that enables the light control logic toswitch between one of a plurality of different prescribed lightpatterns.
 5. The personal umbrella assembly of claim 3 wherein inputsignal has information relating to one or more of the pulsating waveparameters of color pallet composition, frequency, duration, intensity,and fade.
 6. The personal umbrella assembly of claim 1 furthercomprising detection logic for detecting a signal from a differentdevice, the light control logic configured to pair with the differentdevice to interact with the different device.
 7. The personal umbrellaassembly of claim 1 wherein the light assembly includes an array oflight emitting diodes mounted to a flexible strip.